Designs for 2013 5-Star Generals Gold, Clad and Silver Coins

Actual images of 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins will not likely appear for some time due to their March 21, 2013 release date, but images of their designs are available.

These include designs for the 5-Star Generals $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins and clad half-dollars in collectible uncirculated and proof qualities.

2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins honor five men, all five-star generals. They were Generals Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry "Hap" Arnold and Omar N. Bradley. The honored generals either attended or taught at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), and the coins’ release help celebrate the 132nd anniversary of the founding of the CGSC.

The images and descriptions of the designs are below.

5-Star Generals $5 Gold Commemorative Coins

On the obverse of the $5 gold coin is a portrait of General Douglas MacArthur. To the right of the image is the 5-star insignia. Inscriptions include IN GOD WE TRUST, DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, 2013 and LIBERTY. Credits for the artwork go to designer Ronald D. Sanders with the engraver Michael Gaudiso.

The Leavenworth Lamp, the symbol of the CGSC, appears on the gold coin’s reverse. Its inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE DOLLARS and FORT LEAVENWORTH. Barbara Fox designed the reverse while Joseph Menna executed it.

5-Star Generals Commemorative $1 Silver Coins

Obverse designs of the silver dollars shows Generals George C. Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower against a striped background. Above their heads is the 5-star insignia. Inscriptions are GEORGE C. MARSHALL, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, IN GOD WE TRUST, 2013 and LIBERTY. Richard Masters designed and Joseph Menna sculpted the silver dollar obverse.

On the reverse is the Leavenworth Lamp with more inscriptions surrounding it. They are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, E PLURIBUS UNUM, U.S. ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE and FORT LEAVENWORTH. Like the reverse of the $5 gold piece, Barbara Fox designed the silver coin reverse and Joseph Menna executed it.

5-Star Generals Clad Half-Dollar Commemorative Coins

Portraits of Generals Henry "Hap" Arnold and Omar N. Bradley are on the obverse of the clad half dollars. Above their heads is the inscription LIBERTY and the 5-star insignia directly below it. Other inscriptions are IN GOD WE TRUST, HENRY "HAP" ARNOLD, OMAR N. BRADLEY and 2013. Credited for the design and its execution is Phebe Hemphill.

Just the heraldic crest of Fort Leavenworth graces the reverse of the half-dollar. Inscriptions above and below it are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and HALF DOLLAR. Hemphill also designed the reverse.

Background on Generals Commemorative Coins

U.S. Mint artists created design candidates after consulting with CGSC liaisons. Both the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) reviewed the drawings last summer and made their recommendations. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was, by law, tasked with making the final selections.

The 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act became Public Law 111-262 when President Obama signed it on October 8, 2010. It mandates that the U.S. Mint sell the commemorative coins in calendar year 2013.

Maximum mintages are 100,000 of the $5 gold coins, 500,000 of the $1 silver coins and 750,000 of the clad half-dollars. Collector demand determines the ratio of uncirculated to proof coins.

Sales prices of the 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins include surcharges. Funds raised go to the CGSC Foundation to help finance its activities in support of the college. Broken out, those surcharges are $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar and $5 for each clad half-dollar. Commemorative coin prices have not been announced.

Also see this page for additional information about the 2013 5-Star Generals Silver Coins.

The other U.S. Mint commemorative coin program for 2013 honors the centennial of the Girl Scouts. Proof and uncirculated Girl Scout Silver Dollars launch February 28, 2013.